Choosing the right worker: a guide for LGBTIQ clients

Aged Care, Consumers, DisabilityFebruary 21, 2018

It’s that time of year again! From 16 February to 4 March, Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, an event which brings tens of thousands of people together, is celebrating its 40th year this year. It’s going to be a very different affair from the first march for gay rights. This year, the community are celebrating the right to get married after the historical Yes vote in 2017, and one or two couples plan to tie the knot on Parade Night, 3 March. The Mardi Gras program this year even includes Australia’s first same sex wedding expo.

On Mable’s online social platform, we’re all about creating diverse communities. Giving people the chance to choose each other. We’ve heard from clients who identify as LGBTIQ how important it is to know that the workers they hire are LGBTIQ-friendly. In fact, it’s something workers on the platform can indicate and we’re proud to report that almost all our workers have the Mable rainbow badge displayed proudly on their profile.

Choosing the worker who’s right for you

Even with the rainbow badge, how will you know a worker is right for you? Most workers offer an initial hour free of charge, so you can meet each other for a coffee and see how it goes. When you do, here are some things you can consider:

Has the worker got previous experience of supporting clients who identify as LGBTIQ?

What’s the feedback from the Mable community? You can check reviews left by other clients.

Has the worker done any inclusivity training? This is usually indicated on their profile.

Do you feel at ease, like you can be yourself around the worker?

Do you have interests in common? Is it easy to make chit-chat?

Is the worker respectful of your requirements?

Is the worker familiar with the LGBTIQ world and does he or she use inclusive language?

If you’d like a lift to the Mardi Gras, or someone to cheer along with you as the parade goes past, why not book a worker? Click here to Post a Job.

What’s on this year:

This year, People With a Disability Australia (PWDA) will host a float for people with disability from the LGBTQIA+ community, along with the Cerebral Palsy Alliance and the National Disability Insurance Agency. The ‘Evolution to Inclusion’ float will highlight the involvement of people with disability in the Mardi Gras and the progress made towards inclusion.

Each year, the original “78ers” have their own float. To mark the 40th anniversary of the march which made history, this year they’ll have a dedicated marquee at Fair Day to share their story. The Mardi Gras organisers have also created a new chill out space at the Party for those want to enjoy it but relax somewhere quiet.

Accessibility:

LGBTIQ: rights for consumers

Aged care

The needs of consumers who identify as LGBTIQ are increasingly being recognised by aged care providers, however this hasn’t always been the case. The Australian Government’s commitment to providing aged care services which are inclusive of seniors in the LGBTIQ+ community is reflected in the Aged Care Act, and there are government strategies in place for aged care providers to deliver inclusive and appropriate care

Disability support

The LGBTI Health Alliance, in partnership with the Nationality Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is developing an LGBTIQ strategy to guide the work of the NDIA in the coming years. The NDIA has been recognised for its commitment to disability employment as well as inclusive recruitment approaches for LGBTI people and other groups.

Policies

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Important Notice: While we verify certain key information (police checks, key qualifications, references) during the on-boarding of each care worker, they represent other information about themselves to customers via their profiles that we do not independently verify. In exercising your choice of care worker and hiring them directly, we recommend that you check their credentials and original documents when you first meet them and provide ongoing supervision. We recommend that care workers take a file of their key documents with them to their first meeting.